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zombiezami's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
This was an exciting and endearing book, and I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series. The one thing I didn’t like was how many times a facet of Chinese history or culture was explained as “this person was basically the Chinese version of [Western thing].” I understand that the POV character is a Chinese American person who has little knowledge of Chinese history, but those summaries felt pretty oversimplified. Also, some of the dialogue scenes around Chinese culture and history didn’t feel terribly organic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Suicide, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Xenophobia, Racism, Islamophobia, and Police brutality
Minor: Medical content, Genocide, War, and Slavery
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Racism, War, Death of parent, Violence, Islamophobia, Toxic friendship, and Colonisation
tinyjude's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Gaming, Chinese history, mythology and legends of emperors roasting each other while possessing kids, mix in this fast-paced book that will surely become a middle grade favourite in the next years. The social commentary mixes with several cultural references to videogames, movies, etc creating some hilarious parallelisms while criticizing tyranical governments, (American) patriotism, racism and xenophobia, patriarchy and even slightly heteronormativity. Zachary is a already a gay mess and we love him for it.
As a side note, I found many similarities with Percy Jackson, granted bc it's the only middle age book I have read in a long time and because both follow a very classic structure, but still both are very charismatic and enjoyable, so if you have read Percy Jackson, you will surely fall in love with this book, GIVE IT A TRY! Xiran does a phenomenal job and I need more books by them.
As a side note, I found many similarities with Percy Jackson, granted bc it's the only middle age book I have read in a long time and because both follow a very classic structure, but still both are very charismatic and enjoyable, so if you have read Percy Jackson, you will surely fall in love with this book, GIVE IT A TRY! Xiran does a phenomenal job and I need more books by them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, War, Xenophobia, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Suicide
lucystolethesky's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death, Murder, Grief, and Confinement
Minor: Genocide, Suicide, War, and Colonisation
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